Telecom industry all shook up over the iPhone

The expected Korean debut of Apple’s iPhone by KT this Saturday has whipped the telecom industry into a frenzy.

Ahead of the launch, KT’s Web site is attracting thousands of preorders, while other companies are eagerly showcasing iPhone-related products and accessories.

Belkin Korea is one of them. The local branch of the global computer hardware manufacturer said it will showcase various iPhone accessories upon the smart phone’s launch. Aside from cases, the company will offer products that let users charge their iPhones while listening to or looking at stored files on the device in the car or at home.

The Korean branch of Dual, a German-based audio equipment company, said that it will introduce the Dual Pop 100, a new iPod docking product. The product supports FM radio and includes alarm functions. It is expected to go for around 68,000 won ($58.86) here. Tridea, a local company, has launched natural leather iPhone cases in four colors, including pink and brown.

And the Frisbee store in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, which is the country’s largest Apple reseller, said business for accessories has been exceedingly brisk.

“Recently we’ve sold more Apple accessories than actual Apple devices,” said Sa Joon, a branch manager at the Frisbee store. “For every 90 Apple iPods we sell per month, we sell an average of 1,500 cases.”

KT, which is the first and at this point the only company that will initially sell the iPhone in Korea, said the number of early orders for the device is increasing by the minute. The company started allowing customers to preorder the iPhone on Monday on its official Web site (http://phonestore.show.co.kr). On the first day, the company received 15,000 preorders. On Tuesday, the number jumped to around 36,000.

Accordingly, the Web site’s visitor numbers have skyrocketed as well, from 33,784 at the end of last Friday to 177,866 on Monday.

By Cho Jae-eun [jainnie@joongang.co.kr]